How Can I Say Eating Low Carb Is Sustainable? Well, Because It Is.
/One of the slams one hears or reads about the ketogenic, low carb/high fat (LCHF) diet is that it can't be followed long term and that all diets fail. (That, and 'It will wreck your kidneys' ... 'Your cholesterol is going to go sky high' .... 'You might lose weight but that won't help you if you keel over from a heart attack' ... 'Carbs are required to make glucose so your brain can function properly' ... 'You'll shoot your eye out, kid!')
Wait. That last one is about something else altogether..
The idea that eating a low carbohydrate diet won't work because all diets fail, which one might even hear from medical doctors, is maybe the most bothersome. If all diets fail then what's the point of trying ANY diets? Seriously. Let's just revel in the obesity epidemic, turn our healthcare system over to more and more treatment for the horrible side effects of Type II diabetes and call it a day.
More to the point, though, a ketogenic, low carb way of eating is imminently sustainable. Personally, as of today, I've been following the program for two years, seven months and ten days. Not a single day, meal or snack off plan. Excuse me, I did eat a sliver of our older son's wedding cake in April of 2014. Other than that, I've remained below 20 carbohydrates per day - usually well below. And I'm not dead yet. I see no reason to ever change.
As for my brain suffering from lack of carbohydrate intake, all I can say is that I'm able to string all the words written here together in a somewhat cogent manner. I dare say that my intellect has gotten back to where it was in my youth. I was really clever then. Then things got a bit foggy. Now I'm clever again. That is, I'm clever enough to keep at least myself entertained.
But let's take it further. Jacqueline Eberstein, R.N., whom I had the honor of hearing lecture as well as having a one-on-one conversation at the recent LowCarbUSA convention in San Diego, has been eating low carb since 1974. [edit: Just saw this post from Jackie regarding myths of the low carb diet. Excellent!]
Case closed on the 'unsustainable' argument.
I'll write about my understanding of the other common arguments noted above as time goes by. Except for the 'you'll shoot your eye out' one. Not unless someone offers me a Major Award that is delivered in a wooden box labeled 'FRA-GI-LE. ;)
The information I present here is based on my own experiences and personal research. While I’ve been fortunate to have exposure to leading researchers, physicians and journalists regarding the ketogenic specifically and LCHF (low carb/high fat) more generally, we are all responsible for our own choices, including what we put in our mouths. I welcome questions, comments and even civil criticism. I’m still learning. So, i you have something to add, go for it. Thanks! - Casey
